the study also considerably affects the results (Khan and
Akram 2020). The calibrated use of engineered nanoparticles may drive high-tech agricultural system bringing second
revolution in agricultural diaspora. It may thus enhance the
quality and quantity of agricultural yield with reduction
and/or elimination of the detrimental influence of modern
agriculture on environment (Liu and Lal 2015; Shang et al.
2019). In recent years, cost- and time-effective systems are
being favored for detection, monitoring, and diagnosis of
biological host molecules standing crops in agriculture
(Sagadevan and Periasamy 2014). In this regard, NMs can
improve the sensitivity, performance, and handiness of the
biosensors, in detecting nutritional health status of soil and
plant health as well as disease status in real-time manner
(Fraceto et al. 2016). Similarly, processed and packaged
foods can also be sensed for mycotoxins rapidly with use of
NMs biosensors (Sertova 2015). A brief description of major
ENPs, potential role of available nano-tools in agriculture
via their interface with plant metabolism and soil microorganisms, including eco-toxicity, as well as their potential
role in revolutionizing agriculture is discussed in this
chapter.
2 A Brief Note on Widely Used Engineered
Nanoparticles (ENPs)
2.1 Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)
Carbon nanotube is equivalent to two-dimensional graphene
sheet, which is rolled into a tube shape. Single-walled
(SWNTs) and multi-walled (MWNTs) nanotubes are the two
distinct forms of carbon nanotubes. The mixing of r and a
bonds as well as rehybridization properties of electron
orbital of CNTs confers unique properties (i.e., conductive,
optical, and thermal) for nano-device applications to achieve
sustainable agricultural conditions (Raliya et al. 2013).
CNT-based targeted delivery of agrochemicals to hosts
might help control the surplus chemicals, which might bring
severe damage to plants and environment after their release
in the surrounding (Raliya et al. 2013; Hajirostamlo et al.
2015).
2.2 Quantum Dots (QDs)
Semiconductor QDs possess excellent fluorescence and
show size tunable band energy (Androvitsaneas et al. 2016)
and unique spectral properties, therefore are generally used
in bioimaging and bio-sensing (Bakalova et al. 2004).
Therefore, it has been utilized in live imaging of plant root
systems as dyes to verify known physiological processes
(Hu et al. 2010; Das et al. 2015). It has been found that QDs
at low concentration show no detectable cytotoxicity for
seed germination and seedling growth.
2.3 Nano-encapsulation, Nano-rods
and Nano-emulsion
Encapsulation protects substances from adverse environments and helps in their controlled delivery with precision in
targeting (Ozdemir and Kemerli 2016). Nano-encapsulation
term is used as per the size range it achieves after encapsulation. Nano-capsules, which consists of an liquid core
ensheathed by a polymeric membrane (Couvreur et al.
1995), have considerable application in drug delivery,
enhanced bioavailability of nutrients/nutraceuticals, fortification of food, self-healing of materials, and in the area of
plant science research (Ozdemir and Kemerli 2016).
Nano-emulsion is a multifunctional material of plasmonic
nature, which remarkably couples the sensing phenomenon
(Bulovic et al. 2004). Nano-emulsion is nano-scale oil/water
droplet, which exhibits size lower than 100 nm (Anton and
Vandamme 2011). It appears optically transparent and is
particularly advantageous, when incorporated into drinks. It
has been observed that the nano-emulsion formation requires
very high energy. Nano-rods are nano-sized materials, having standard aspect ratio between 3 and 5, having their wide
use in display technologies, as they change their reflectance
under electromagnetic field, owing to their change in orientation; however, it has harmful impact on plant processes.
For example, the gold nano-rod at high concentration brings
lethal physiological change in watermelon plant (Wan et al.
2014) and also considerably affects the transport of auxins in
tobacco (Nima et al. 2014).
3 Nanotechnology in Sustainable
Agriculture
The nanotechnology might help in improved agricultural
productivity, primarily via enhanced nutrient control on
release for synchronized availability and monitoring of
pesticide’s efficient use and water quality (Gruère 2012;
Prasad et al. 2014). In this regard, the increased applications
of fullerenes, nanotubes, biosensors, controlled and targeted
delivery systems, nanofiltration, etc., in the agriculture and
associated supply chains are being observed widely in recent
years (Ion et al. 2010; Sabir et al. 2014). This emerging
technology is efficient in agricultural management of natural
resources (nutrient and water), drug delivery mechanisms in
plants, and in maintenance of the soil’s health (Fig. 1).
However, its potential use in agricultural biomass and waste
management as well as in the food industry is also being
observed (Floros et al. 2010). Recently, nanosensors (e.g.,
Engineered Nanoparticles in Smart Agricultural Revolution …
5
Akram 2020). The calibrated use of engineered nanoparticles may drive high-tech agricultural system bringing second
revolution in agricultural diaspora. It may thus enhance the
quality and quantity of agricultural yield with reduction
and/or elimination of the detrimental influence of modern
agriculture on environment (Liu and Lal 2015; Shang et al.
2019). In recent years, cost- and time-effective systems are
being favored for detection, monitoring, and diagnosis of
biological host molecules standing crops in agriculture
(Sagadevan and Periasamy 2014). In this regard, NMs can
improve the sensitivity, performance, and handiness of the
biosensors, in detecting nutritional health status of soil and
plant health as well as disease status in real-time manner
(Fraceto et al. 2016). Similarly, processed and packaged
foods can also be sensed for mycotoxins rapidly with use of
NMs biosensors (Sertova 2015). A brief description of major
ENPs, potential role of available nano-tools in agriculture
via their interface with plant metabolism and soil microorganisms, including eco-toxicity, as well as their potential
role in revolutionizing agriculture is discussed in this
chapter.
2 A Brief Note on Widely Used Engineered
Nanoparticles (ENPs)
2.1 Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)
Carbon nanotube is equivalent to two-dimensional graphene
sheet, which is rolled into a tube shape. Single-walled
(SWNTs) and multi-walled (MWNTs) nanotubes are the two
distinct forms of carbon nanotubes. The mixing of r and a
bonds as well as rehybridization properties of electron
orbital of CNTs confers unique properties (i.e., conductive,
optical, and thermal) for nano-device applications to achieve
sustainable agricultural conditions (Raliya et al. 2013).
CNT-based targeted delivery of agrochemicals to hosts
might help control the surplus chemicals, which might bring
severe damage to plants and environment after their release
in the surrounding (Raliya et al. 2013; Hajirostamlo et al.
2015).
2.2 Quantum Dots (QDs)
Semiconductor QDs possess excellent fluorescence and
show size tunable band energy (Androvitsaneas et al. 2016)
and unique spectral properties, therefore are generally used
in bioimaging and bio-sensing (Bakalova et al. 2004).
Therefore, it has been utilized in live imaging of plant root
systems as dyes to verify known physiological processes
(Hu et al. 2010; Das et al. 2015). It has been found that QDs
at low concentration show no detectable cytotoxicity for
seed germination and seedling growth.
2.3 Nano-encapsulation, Nano-rods
and Nano-emulsion
Encapsulation protects substances from adverse environments and helps in their controlled delivery with precision in
targeting (Ozdemir and Kemerli 2016). Nano-encapsulation
term is used as per the size range it achieves after encapsulation. Nano-capsules, which consists of an liquid core
ensheathed by a polymeric membrane (Couvreur et al.
1995), have considerable application in drug delivery,
enhanced bioavailability of nutrients/nutraceuticals, fortification of food, self-healing of materials, and in the area of
plant science research (Ozdemir and Kemerli 2016).
Nano-emulsion is a multifunctional material of plasmonic
nature, which remarkably couples the sensing phenomenon
(Bulovic et al. 2004). Nano-emulsion is nano-scale oil/water
droplet, which exhibits size lower than 100 nm (Anton and
Vandamme 2011). It appears optically transparent and is
particularly advantageous, when incorporated into drinks. It
has been observed that the nano-emulsion formation requires
very high energy. Nano-rods are nano-sized materials, having standard aspect ratio between 3 and 5, having their wide
use in display technologies, as they change their reflectance
under electromagnetic field, owing to their change in orientation; however, it has harmful impact on plant processes.
For example, the gold nano-rod at high concentration brings
lethal physiological change in watermelon plant (Wan et al.
2014) and also considerably affects the transport of auxins in
tobacco (Nima et al. 2014).
3 Nanotechnology in Sustainable
Agriculture
The nanotechnology might help in improved agricultural
productivity, primarily via enhanced nutrient control on
release for synchronized availability and monitoring of
pesticide’s efficient use and water quality (Gruère 2012;
Prasad et al. 2014). In this regard, the increased applications
of fullerenes, nanotubes, biosensors, controlled and targeted
delivery systems, nanofiltration, etc., in the agriculture and
associated supply chains are being observed widely in recent
years (Ion et al. 2010; Sabir et al. 2014). This emerging
technology is efficient in agricultural management of natural
resources (nutrient and water), drug delivery mechanisms in
plants, and in maintenance of the soil’s health (Fig. 1).
However, its potential use in agricultural biomass and waste
management as well as in the food industry is also being
observed (Floros et al. 2010). Recently, nanosensors (e.g.,
Engineered Nanoparticles in Smart Agricultural Revolution …
5